Hosea 12

1 Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him.

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

4 So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak with us;

Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;

5 But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7 As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.

He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

8 And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: in all my labours they shall find no iniquity in me that were sin.

9 But I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.

And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10 I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

11 If Gilead be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be as heaps in the furrows of the field.

Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14 Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return to him.